City of Long Beach Shoreline Gateway Project Environmental Impact Report 5.7 CULTURAL RESOURCES The purpose of this section is to identify historic, archaeological and paleontological resources existing in the project area and to assess the significance of such resources. The analysis in this section has been prepared in accordance with Section 15064.5 of the CEQA Guidelines, which considers potential impacts on prehistoric and historic resources. This section is based upon the information contained in the Historic-Period Building Survey conducted by CRM Tech (June 2006) and the Revised Historic Resources Survey Report prepared by Sapphos Environmental, Inc. (August 2006), which is included in Appendix 15.6, Historical Resources Survey Reports. 5.7.1 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING Between August 2005 and June 2006, CRM Tech performed a historical resources survey for the proposed Shoreline Gateway Project. The boundaries of the project encompass portions of two fully urbanized city blocks located on the north side of Ocean Boulevard between Atlantic Avenue and Alamitos Avenue, on the eastern edge of the city’s downtown area. In consideration of the project’s potential for visual, atmospheric, and other indirect effects, the study area for the survey also includes properties of potential historic significance that are located adjacent to the project boundaries. In all, the entire study area extends from the west side of Atlantic Avenue to the east side of Alamitos Avenue, straddling both sides of Ocean Boulevard. It lies across the boundary between the Rancho Los Cerritos and Rancho Los Alamitos land grants, in what would be Section 6 of T5S R13W, San Bernardino Base Meridian. As a technical component of the EIR, the study is required in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA; PRC §21000, et. seq.) and the City’s Cultural Heritage Commission Ordinance (LBMC §2.63.010, et. seq.). The purpose of the study is to provide the City of Long Beach with the necessary information and analysis to determine whether any building, structure, object, site, or other feature within the study area constitutes a “historical resource,” as defined by CEQA, and thus requires proper protection during the proposed redevelopment project. In order to facilitate the proper identification and evaluation of potential “historical resources” within the study area, CRM Tech reviewed existing cultural resources records, pursued historical background research, consulted with groups and individuals active in local historic preservation, and conducted a systematic field survey. RECORDS SEARCH At the commencement of the study, CRM TECH initiated a historical/archaeological records search at the South Central Coastal Information Center (SCCIC), California State University, Fullerton, which is the official cultural resource records repository for the Counties of Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura. During the records search, SCCIC Staff Researcher Thomas D. Shackford checked the information center’s maps and files for previously identified historical/archaeological resources in or near FINAL SEPTEMBER 2006 5.7-1 Cultural Resources City of Long Beach Shoreline Gateway Project Environmental Impact Report the study area, and existing cultural resources reports pertaining to the vicinity. Previously identified historical/archaeological resources include properties designated as California Points of Historical Interest and California Historical Landmarks, as well as those listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the California Register of Historical Resources, or the California Historical Resources Inventory. To supplement the materials provided by the SCCIC, cultural resources files maintained by the City of Long Beach Office of Neighborhood and Historic Preservation were reviewed. Among these are official records on designated Long Beach historic landmarks, documentation generated from City-sponsored studies, and miscellaneous files on various properties within the study area. FIELD SURVEY On August 3, 2005, an initial field inspection of all buildings located within the project boundaries was conducted. On June 7, 2006, the study area was further evaluated in order to complete the survey of all building and other built-environment features in the balance of the study area (i.e., those outside but adjacent to the project boundaries). Since the study area is fully developed with buildings, public roadways, paved parking lots, and landscaping features, with no undeveloped ground surface visible, a field survey by an archaeologist was determined not to be necessary. In accordance with guidelines adopted for such surveys by the California State Office of Historic Preservation, the field procedures were focused primarily on buildings and other built-environment features that appeared to be more than 45 years old or to demonstrate the potential for exceptional historical or architectural merits. For these properties, CRM Tech made detailed notations and preliminary photo-recordation of their structural/architectural characteristics and current conditions. The field observations and photographic records formed the basis of the building descriptions and the historic integrity assessment and in site record forms. Buildings and other features that date to the post-1962 period and clearly show no potential for exceptional merits were noted but excluded from further study. HISTORICAL RESEARCH During the study, CRM Tech pursued historical research in order to establish the historic context for the evaluation of properties recorded during the field survey as well as each property’s construction history, roles and uses over the years, and possible associations with important historic figures and/or events. Sources consulted during the research included the following: Published literature and online reference sources in local, regional, and architectural history; Archival records of the City of Long Beach and the County of Los Angeles, particular the City’s building safety records and the County’s real property assessment records; FINAL SEPTEMBER 2006 5.7-2 Cultural Resources City of Long Beach Shoreline Gateway Project Environmental Impact Report Historic maps of the study area, including U.S. General Land Office’s (GLO) land survey plat maps dated 1868-1890, the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) topographic maps dated 1896-1941, and the Sanborn Map Company’s insurance maps dated 1898-1969; and Local directories from the historic period and other materials on file at the local history collections of the Los Angeles and Long Beach Public Libraries. CONSULTATION WITH LOCAL HISTORICAL GROUPS In conjunction with other research procedures, CRM Tech contacted several groups and individuals active in the Long Beach preservation community for additional information on buildings and other features recorded within the study area and to seek their input regarding the potential historical significance of these properties to the local community. The groups and individuals contacted included the Historical Society of Long Beach, Long Beach Heritage, and former Long Beach Historic Preservation Officer Ruthann Lehrer. Comments and information from these sources are incorporated into the analysis. INPUT FROM LOCAL HISTORICAL GROUPS In September 2005, Julie Bartolotto, Executive Director of the Historical Society of Long Beach, and Dave Waller, Vice President of Public Awareness for Long Beach Heritage, were contacted regarding this project. In an effort to determine whether or not any of the buildings within the project boundaries or persons associated with them was of significance in local history, the organizations were provided with photographs of the buildings in the project area and a list of individuals associated with them. After initial contact with Ms. Bartolotto, on September 27, 2005, the Historical Society shared their extensive photo collection with CRM Tech researchers. Archive Manager Amy Luke facilitated the research with a survey of available databases and retrieval of several indexes, historical volumes, ephemera, and photographs. In the meantime, Mr. Waller relayed the information to various members of Long Beach Heritage for their input. These individuals included Professor Louise Ivers of California State University, Dominguez Hills; Maureen Neeley of HousStories; and Karen Clements. Ms. Neeley also referred the information to her contacts and Ms. Clements offered access to various research sources. Ms. Clements noted that independent insurance salesman Clare Hamman, prominent local architect Kenneth S. Wing, Sr., and later Wing’s son Kenneth S. Wing, Jr. had occupied one of the buildings in the project area, located at 40 Atlantic Avenue. She further stated that oral history interviews with Hamman and Wing, Sr., could be found at the library of California State University, Long Beach. Ms. Bartolotto also commented on the elder Wing’s association with the building. Due to time constraints, no formal consultation was conducted with the Historical Society of Long Beach and Long Beach Heritage regarding properties within the study area but outside the project boundaries. However, research resources maintained by these organizations were consulted during subsequent research efforts. FINAL SEPTEMBER 2006 5.7-3 Cultural Resources City of Long Beach Shoreline Gateway Project Environmental Impact Report HISTORICAL OVERVIEW The City of Long Beach received the earliest European visitors in the late 18th century with the arrival of Spanish explorers and